Adam and APM Employment Services

Growing up in Queensland, Adam faced a series of challenges that made finding stable work feel out of reach.

“It was very hard to find work at the time because I had an alcohol and drug problem,” he shared candidly.

For a while, life felt like a cycle of setbacks, and confidence was in short supply.

But everything changed when Adam walked through the doors of APM Employment Services.

At first, he wasn’t sure what to expect.

He had heard of Workforce Australia - a government initiative delivered by APM to help people find employment - but he didn’t know if it could help someone like him.

What he found was more than a job service. He found people who listened.

“When Adam first came into APM, my first impressions was he lacked a lot of confidence,” said APM Employment Consultant, Janeah.

“We just sat down. We asked him about himself and where he wanted to be.”

That simple act of listening became the turning point.

APM didn’t just offer Adam a one-size-fits-all solution. They tailored their support to his unique needs.

“What makes APM different is that we actually tailor to the individual,” Janeah explained.

“If they’re not work ready, we then need to tailor a little bit more with their barriers to then get them work ready.”

Workforce Australia participant Adam holds a stop sign while standing next to his APM employment consultant Janeah in a First Nations artwork top, both smiling outdoors near a traffic control vehicle.

Close-up of Workforce Australia participant Adam holding a stop sign and smiling at the camera while wearing high-visibility traffic control attire outdoors.

For Adam, those barriers included mental health challenges and physical issues.

APM referred him to a psychiatrist and even covered podiatry treatment to help him get back on his feet - literally.

But the real breakthrough came when Adam discovered a job that matched his strengths and passions.

“He loves outdoors,” said Janeah.

“So we then discussed traffic controlling.”

It was a perfect fit.

“They gave me enough encouragement and they signed me up to do the traffic control course and I haven't looked back since,” Adam said with pride.

Workforce Australia participant Adam directs traffic holding a stop sign, standing next to a "Stop Here When Directed" sign, with vehicles and traffic control equipment visible in the background.

Workforce Australia participant Adam stands with his APM employment consultant Janeah in a First Nations artwork top and his employer, all smiling at the camera.

APM didn’t stop at training. They provided Adam with work clothes and boots, ensuring he had everything he needed to succeed. And succeed he did.

“Adam brings a lot of character to his work sites,” said Todd, Regional Manager for Avada Sunshine Coast, one of APM’s employment partners.

“It’s great that people with disadvantages or previous problems have been able to be given a second chance under our mentoring program.”

That second chance has made all the difference.

Adam now works full-time in traffic control, a role that not only suits his skills but has reignited his sense of purpose.

“Made me feel so proud for the rest of my little family. When I told my wife, she was more excited than me and I've got so much confidence ever since I've started this job too,” he said.

For his team at APM, Adam’s experience shows what’s possible when people are met with empathy, support, and opportunity.

“We're here to listen, we're not here to judge, and we’re here to help you overcome whatever you need to overcome, or get you to where you need to be.” Janeah added.